Fake Vs Real Yeezy Boost 380 Pepper (Reflective + Non-Reflective)

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Ch David
fake vs real pepper 380 yeezys
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Last Updated on August 15, 2023 by Ch Daniel

Trying to learn how to spot fake Yeezy Boost 380 Pepper Non-Reflective and/or Reflective? Afraid of being scammed?

If so, then you are in the right place to learn how to authenticate Yeezy 380 Pepper shoes in just a few simple steps to follow.

Just by reading this article, you are going to learn how to spot fake Yeezy Pepper shoes in the best areas to check the shoes.

Along with every step of our guide on how to spot fake Yeezy Boost 380 Pepper, we are going to link reference fake vs real Pepper 380 Yeezy images so that each step will be clear and easy to follow.

To put it shortly, the fastest way to spot fake Yeezy Pepper shoes is to check the size tag on the interior side, because fake the shoes never have their inscriptions on the size tag at the right thickness and kerning between the letters, while the legit pairs are always flawless on this little piece of paper.

How to spot fake Yeezy Boost 380 Pepper (RF and NRF)

Step 1: Fake vs real Yeezy Pepper barcode scan

As for the first step of the guide on how to spot fake Yeezy Pepper sneakers, we are going to scan the barcode, found on the box of the fake vs real Pepper 380 Yeezys.

First of all, let’s have a look at the reference real vs fake Yeezy 380 Pepper image below, and then, we will proceed to explain the flaw.

yeezy boost 380 pepper real vs fake

This makes the barcode a reliable indicator of authenticity that can help you ensure you only purchase the original Adidas manufactured sneakers. 

When you are ready to scan the barcode of your Yeezy Pepper, we recommend that you use the Legit Check App. 

When you scan the barcode using the Legit Check App, the app will run your unique barcode against other Yeezy sneakers online. 

Note that all Yeezy sneakers have a unique barcode that relates to a specific combination of:

  • Colorway – PEPPER (Non-Reflective: FZ1269, Reflective: FZ4977)
  • Style – 380
  • Size – From 4 to 17 (US)

How do you scan your Yeezy Boost 380 Pepper using the Legit Check App?

First of all, in order to scan the barcode of your Yeezy, you will need to install the Legit Check App By Ch on your phone.

Legit Check Barcode Scan Sneakers

Once you are ready to scan, tap on the barcode scan icon and focus in on the barcode on the box of your Yeezy 380 Pepper.

The results are where you will need to apply your intelligence. You will need to look for matches that confirm the authenticity status of your Yeezy Boost 380 Pepper.

Now, if the results show lots of confirmation points on Google for your unique barcode as illustrated in the picture below, then you can be assured that your box is authentic.

As you can see in the image above, the fake Yeezy Boost 380 Pepper barcode does not match with the colourway, size, and product ID, while the authentic Yeezy do.

Please note that the barcode scanning can only be considered a perfect match when the size and colorway combination on the results match the one on the box.

legit vs fake yeezy pepper 380 boost

As you can see in the image above, all of the results match with the colourway, size, and product ID with the authentic Yeezy Boost 380 Pepper’s box label in the fake vs real Yeezy Pepper image above.

Please keep in mind that if there are no results shown for your pair, that is because the 380 Pepper is a newer release, and it takes time until the results of the barcodes are generated on the internet.

lc qc yeezy pepper 380

Also, note that we say the box is authentic and not the sneakers because there is still the possibility that the real sneakers might have been swapped for the fake ones by the fake resellers to trick buyers into thinking the sneakers are genuine.

Thus, if only one of the two matches, then the box is still a fake. For the full story on how to scan the barcode on the box or your 380 Pepper for authenticity, read our article here.

Step 2: Real vs fake Yeezy 380 Pepper size tag

For the second step of the guide on how to spot fake Yeezy Pepper, we are going to have a look at the size tag on both the fake vs real Pepper 380 Yeezys.

As we’ve mentioned at the top of the article, the size tag is the most reliable sign of authenticity. Therefore, we do recommend that you always check the size tag on your shoes.

First of all, let’s check out the reference fake vs real Yeezy Pepper image below, in order to easily visualise the differences between the two pairs.

yeezy pepper qualtiy check

Now that you’ve had a look at the reference fake vs real Yeezy 380 Pepper image above, let’s proceed to explain the flaws on the fake shoes’ size tag.

1 – The “MADE IN CHINA” print

In the image with the real vs fake Yeezy Pepper 380 image above, we have pointed out how the fake Peppers have their “MADE IN CHINA” print improperly font-weighted.

By that, we mean that the fake pair has its “MADE IN CHINA” print looking thinner and narrower than the fake pair’s text.

On the other hand, the legitimate Yeezy Boost 380 Pepper pair has its “MADE IN CHINA” text looking thicker and more defined than the fake pair’s text.

2 – The date of manufacturing print

Looking at the date of manufacturing, the fake shoes usually have their month and year prints looking too thin as well.

Once again, the legitimate Yeezy Boost 380 Peppers have their date of manufacturing print looking thicker and more defined than the fake pair’s print.

3 – The last line of text on the size tag

Moving on to the last line of text on the fake vs real Yeezy Peppers’ size tags, we have pointed out how the fake pair once again has its text looking too thin.

Yet again, the legitimate Pepper 380s have their last line of text looking thicker and more defined than the fake pair’s text.

4 – The ART number text

On the fake Yeezy Boost 380 Pepper pair, the “ART FZ1269” pair has its text looking thicker than the authentic 380 Pepper’s text.

For once on this size tag, the legit Yeezy 380 Peppers have their text looking thinner than the fake pair’s text.

5 – The APE/CLU/EVN number print

Please note that CLU, APE or EVN inscriptions might be found here and you should not worry if you’ve got any of them.

All three inscriptions can be found on an authentic or a fake pair, so we do not consider this area to be a reliable spot for identifying a fake Yeezy 380 Pepper.

However, what you need to pay attention to is the quality of printing here. Look out for ink blotting, fuzzy lines, and other signs of poor quality of printing.

6 – The “US UK FR JP CHN” text

Up next, looking at the “US UK FR JP CHN” text on the fake Yeezy Pepper’s size tag, you can notice how the replica shoes have their row of text looking thick.

On the other hand, speaking of the authentic Pepper 380s, you ca notice in the fake vs real Yeezy Boost 380 Pepper image above how they have their text looking thinner than the fake shoes’ text.

Step 3: Check the boost sole of your Pepper Yeezys

Moving on to the third method on how to spot fake Yeezy Pepper shoes, we are going to have a look at the boost sole by flipping the shoes upside down.

Most of the time, the fake shoes have their boost flawed in terms of the thickness for their engraved “boost” text.

As you may know already, we are first going to look at the reference real vs fake Yeezy Pepper image below.

yeezy pepper real vs fake

In the image containing the fake vs real Pepper Yeezys above, we have pointed out how the fake Peppers have their “boost” text looking too thick, and with too much space between the letters.

On the other hand, the authentic Yeezy peppers have their “boost” text looking thinner and with less space between their letters than the fake pair’s sole’s text.

Yet another flaw visible on the fake Yeezy Peppers is the placement of the pellets, which is too “mathematical”, meaning that most of the pellets look like they are parallel and positioned so as to be symmetrical.

The legitimate Yeezy Pepper 380s have their pellets all around the boost sole looking “randomized”, therefore not being placed with any intention to look symmetrical, unlike most of the fake pairs.

Step 4: Inspect the way that the laces are attached to the Peppers

Up next, for the fourth way on how to legit check Yeezy 380 Pepper sneakers, we are going to look at the real vs fake Yeezy Pepper 380s for the lacing style.

Every authentic Adidas x Kanye West sneakers have their laces attached in the same manner.

In order to see the right method in which they are supposed to be like, let’s have a look at the reference real vs fake Yeezy 380 Pepper image below.

authenticity check yeezy pepper

In the image containing the fake vs real Yeezy Peppers above, we have pointed out how the fake shoes have the flaw which we call the “reverted lacing”.

By that, we mean that the fake shoes have their laces improperly attached to the shoes.

The authentic Yeezy Boost 380s must have their right lace from the wearer’s view placed below the left lace, while most of the times, the fake Yeezys have a randomised way in which they are laced.

So as to properly understand this, let’s have a look at the more detailed fake vs real Yeezy Pepper image below.

how to spot fake yeezy pepper

Keep in mind that we don’t consider this step foolproof unless the shoes are 100% deadstock (in the same condition from the factory and never worn.

In the image below, you can see how the authentic shoes are supposed to come with their attached replacement red laces.

authentication yeezy pepper

A quick mention:

  • The steps we’ve written so far are the BEST ways to authenticate this item
  • The next few steps are still reliable methods…
  • … but they apply to non-top-versions of replicas available for this item

If in doubt, we recommend double-checking the steps we’ve explained above this line.

Step 5: Verify the box label of your 380 Pepper Yeezys

As for the fifth step of the guide on how to spot fake Yeezy 380 Pepper sneakers, we are going to look at the box label of the fake vs real Yeezy Pepper pairs.

When inspecting the label, there are two things you should look out for – the size and the serial number on the box.

First off, all sneakers in the Yeezy 380 line are released in two versions – the US version and the international version.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Yeezy-Boost-350-V2-Clay-Box-Label-Size-Tag-1200x1200.jpg

The US version features three sizes on the label – US, UK, and F. While the US size are in large print, the other two are in smaller prints under it.

The international version of the sneakers displays 6 countries (US, UK, F, D, J, and CHN) sizes and all 6 of them are in equal prints on the label.

Now regarding the serial number, if it is a US version, the serial number is supposed to end with a V02 or V03. However, the international (Canadian/European) versions end with a V10. 

Any deviation from this pattern is an obvious sign that you are dealing with a fake product.

As seen in the image below, the authentic label which is an international version has a serial number that ends with V10 as opposed to the fake one which ends with a V10 despite being a US version. 

Step 6: Real vs fake Yeezy Boost 380 Pepper middle stitching

Proceeding to the sixth way on how to spot fake Yeezy Pepper pairs, we are going to look at the real vs fake Yeezy Pepper items for the middle stitching on the rear side.

In fact, for the sixth step of the guide on how to authenticate Yeezy Pepper sneakers, we will have to flip both the real vs fake Pepper 380s to the rear side.

fake vs real yeezy pepper

The replica Yeezy peppers often have their stitching engraved too little deep into the shoes, therefore looking like an narrower gap than the authentic shoes’ gap.

On the other hand, the authentic shoes have their gap looking deeper since the middle stitching is perforated deeper into the shoes.

Step 7: Have a look at the toe box and its inflation level on your 380s

For the seventh spot to look at in order to spot fake Yeezy Pepper 380s, we are going to inspect the real vs fake Yeezy Pepper items for the toe box and its inflation level.

Most of the time, the replica Yeezy sneakers tend to have their toe box looking over-inflated, with a thicker look than supposed to.

In the image with the real vs fake Yeezy Boost 380 Pepper shoes above, we have pointed out how the fake shoes have their toe box looking too thick and also too curvy.

On the other hand, the toe box found on the legitimate 380s appears to be thinner and less curvy than the fake pair’s toe box.

Step 8: Analyze the 3M reflective material on your Yeezy 380s

Going to the eighth method on how to spot fake Yeezy Pepper 380s, we are going to look at the real vs fake Yeezy 380 Pepper pairs for the 3M reflective material by turning the lights off and turning on the flashlight.

how to spot fake yeezy pepper

In the image with the real vs fake Yeezy peppers above, we have pointed out how the replica Pepper 380s have their 3M reflective material shining less powerful than the authentic pair’s material.

On the other hand, the authentic shoes shine better and more powerful than the fake shoes’ material.

How can I spot a fake Yeezy Boost 380 Pepper in 60 seconds?

The 8 real vs fake Yeezy Pepper steps outlined above are well detailed and it will be time demanding to perform each authentication step when you need to confirm the originality of your 380 Pepper.

That is why we have compiled this quick 60 seconds solution to authenticating your sneakers. Below are the top 8 indicators that can help you determine if you have a fake pair of sneakers or the real deal.

  1. Scan the barcode. Mostly, the fake Yeezys show up results for different pairs, colourways, and sizes
  2. Check the size tag. The counterfeit Yeezy 380 Pepper pairs are most common to have improperly font-weight and placement for the text on the size tag
  3. Verify the box label. The authentic European box label must have 6 sizes and the “V10” inscription, and the authentic American boxes must have 3 sizes and a “V02” or a “V03” inscription. The fake boxes are usually twisted with the inscriptions
  4. Look at the laces and make sure that on the right shoe, the right side of the lace goes underneath, and on the left shoe, the left side goes underneath. Note: this assumes a top-down view, as if you’re wearing the shoes.
  5. Analyze the boost sole of your sneakers. The fake pellets are usually off the needed shape
  6. Verify the middle stitching. The counterfeit Yeezys are most common to have their stitching looking too thin and less deep stamped into the shoes
  7. The toe box of the fake Yeezys is usually too arched and curvy
  8. Verify the 3M shininess of the Yeezys. Most of the time, the fake shoes are less shiny than needed

Where can I get my Yeezy Boost 380 Pepper authenticated? The Adidas Yeezy authentication service

If you have read this guide and are still uncertain about whether your shoe is real or fake, the Legit Check App offers an authentication service to put your mind at ease.

Should you either not be confident in your ability to follow this guide or are simply lacking time, all you have to do is send us high-quality pictures of your Yeezy Boost 380 Pepper and we will get back to you with the results within 24 to 48 hours.

The results will also come with a report on why we believe your sneakers are fake or authentic.

Need our opinion on your item’s authenticity? It’s a service we provide.

Get a fully-detailed report for why you have a real or fake item. Takes less than 48 hours!

Alternatively, use our free resources: written guides and video tutorials.

Thank you for reading this,

Ch Daniel and Ch David

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About the Author

David is the co-founder and co-CEO of Legit Check By Ch. David's experience: 5+ years of creating educational content in the fashion industry. 6+ years of authenticating luxury items. Currently, David is the Head Editor of the LCBC Library, where 1,000,000+ words have been published, in free guides, for over 1,000 items.
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